Royal Portrush Tipped For Swift Return Of The Open

If the spectacular Dunluce Links course at Royal Portrush wasn't known by golfers around the world already, it certainly is now after the unprecedented success of The 148th Open.

Over 200,000 spectators from home and abroad flocked to the North Coast last week to watch the action, while coverage was beamed to 600 million households around the world, promoting Northern Ireland as a prime destination for major sporting championships.

In the aftermath of the event, which saw County Offaly man Shane Lowry take home the Claret Jug, some have dared to dream of its return sooner rather than later.

One such hopeful is Ulster Unionist Councillor and Portrush local Alderman Normal Hillis, who believes the R&A may agree to a swift return.

He said: "I might be accused of being a bit biased, but having met so many visitors from all over the world visiting the Causeway Coast and Glens Council area, I have no doubt of the hugely positive impact of The Open.

"Night after night, a positive image of Northern Ireland was beamed across the world into homes in the USA and as far away as Japan, providing advertising that we could once only dream of. Ten years ago I remember doing a TV interview at the Blue Pool in Portrush and saying that The Open should return to Portrush. Some thought it would never happen, but it just did. And it was great."

The Open's historic return came 68 years after golf's oldest and most international championship was last held in the region and the stunning scenery and welcoming people garnered praise from golfers and visitors alike.

Tiger Woods hailed the people of Northern Ireland as "absolutely fantastic" and described the golf course as "unbelievable".

Alderman Hillis continued: "The feedback I received from any foreign visitors was always hugely positive. It was an absolutely fantastic success story.

"I look forward to watching The Open in Portrush again sooner rather than later. It should be an easy decision by the Royal and Ancient for The Open to return swiftly to Royal Portrush given the event's unprecedented success last week. Northern Ireland needs more days like this."

The tournament's economic benefit to the region has been estimated at £80 million, with Tourism NI hosting 80 golf operators from the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Chief Executive of Tourism NI also predicted a return in the coming years. He said: "Along with everyone else in the tourism industry here, I am very confident that The Open will be back soon and that tourism has a very exciting future ahead thanks to how Portrush, the Causeway Coast and Glens and the whole of Northern Ireland has delivered."



(JG/CM)